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The Marin Humane Society in Novato is working to get in touch with the people responsible for dumping two dozen cats at the shelter's overnight drop area. Christie Smith reports. (Photo provided by Robert Tong, Marin Independent Journal) (Published Friday, Aug. 15, 2014)

Updated at 9:50 PM PDT on Friday, Aug 15, 2014

The Marin Humane Society in Novato is working to get in touch with the people responsible for dumping two dozen cats at the shelter's overnight drop area.

Officials said the latest incident is the fourth cat dumping to hit the shelter in the past 18 months. The unexpected influx of cats is putting a strain on the shelter because it now has nearly 200 cats to care for.

Surveillance video shows two people puling up to the shelter Monday night in a small, white SUV. The people then unload several boxes, with one person ringing the doorbell of the backdoor before they drive away.

"Clearly the person who dropped them off -- their heart is in the right place," said Lisa Bloch with the Marin Humane Society. "What they don't realize is that it's irresponsible to not be spaying or neutering."

Shelter officials said the latest addition will go through normal processing and health checks before they can be adopted out in about a week. The cats are likely related -- most are black and white, healthy and social -- and raised indoors, officials said.

"This isn't a criminal thing, we don't want anyone to get in trouble," Bloch said. "We would like more information and again, stop this cycle from happening."